Sun Tzu and the Art of Business
Six Strategic Principles for Managers
More than two millennia ago the famous Chinese general Sun Tzu wrote the
classic work on military strategy, The Art of War. Now, in a new edition of Sun Tzu and
the Art of Business, Mark McNeilly shows how Sun Tzu's strategic principles can be applied
to twenty-first century business.
Here are two books in one: McNeilly's synthesis of Sun Tzu's ideas into six
strategic principles for the business executive, plus the text of Samuel B. Griffith's
popular translation of The Art of War. McNeilly explains how to gain market share without
inciting competitive retaliation, how to attack competitors' weak points, and how to
maximize market information for competitive advantage. He demonstrates the value of speed
and preparation in throwing the competition off-balance, employing strategy to beat the
competition, and the need for character in leaders. Lastly, McNeilly presents a practical
method to put Sun Tzu's principles into practice. By using modern examples throughout the
book from Google, Zappos, Amazon, Dyson, Aflac, Singapore Airlines, Best Buy, the NFL,
Tata Motors, Starbucks, and many others, he illustrates how, by following the wisdom of
history's most respected strategist, executives can avoid the pitfalls of management fads
and achieve lasting competitive advantage.
- Revised to contain new and more current business examples, including recent situations
such as the war on terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Written in a unique format which distills 6 simple strategies from the original Art of
War, using quotations from Sun Tzu, interesting military examples, and up-to-date business
examples
- Contains a wealth of business examples unparalleled by the competition
- Particularly important due to the rise of China as an economic power and the emergence
of Chinese ompanies on the worldwide stage
- Includes an original translation of &IThe Art of War
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Win All Without Fighting: Capturing Your Market Without Destroying It
2. Avoid Strength, Attack Weakness: Striking Where They Least Expect It
3. Deception and Foreknowledge: Maximizing the Power of Market Information
4. Speed and Preparation: Moving Swiftly To Overcome Your Competitors
5. Shape Your Opponent: Employing Strategy To Master the Competition
6. Character-Based Leadership: Providing Effective Leadership in Turbulent Times
7. Putting The Art of Business into Practice
Notes
Suggested Readings
Original Translation by Samuel B. Griffith
Bibliography
288 pages, Paperback